FCB Nyasa Big Bullets can breathe a sigh of relief after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) approved Bingu National Stadium (BNS) to host their Caf Champions League match against Zambia champions Red Arrows next month.
Bullets will host Arrows for the first leg of the first preliminary round at BNS on August 18.
The return leg is scheduled for between August 23 and 25 in Zambia.
Initially, BNS was excluded from the list of approved stadia to host inter-club competitions due to its perceived poor condition.
According to the latest communication from Caf to Football Association of Malawi (Fam), the facility passed the Caf test.
“Following the review of the report by Caf, please note that the stadium is approved for use specifically in the Caf Interclub competitions 2024/25 1st and 2nd preliminary rounds. Notwithstanding, the stadium management is required to ensure that the pitch conditions are maintained and improved to host the upcoming Caf matches,” the email from Caf reads.
Bullets were in danger of playing their home matches on foreign soil due to the initial ban.
Bullets interim Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga sounded relieved Tuesday.
“This is what we expected. We can now start planning well for the home match. We thank Fam and the government for working hard to have the stadium approved,” Chigoga said.
The winner between Bullets and Arrows will face TP Mazembe in the second preliminary round.
Last year, Bullets lost 5-0 on aggregate to Mazembe.
Bullets have registered 30 players for this year’s competition.
On his part, Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the association expected it.
“We knew that the facility would pass the test but, above all, we thank BNS management for working hard all the time.
“Going forward, we need to make sure that the facility is in good shape all the time,” he said.
However, Fam is keeping fingers crossed that the facility will also be approved to host 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers between Malawi and Burundi in September this year.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Macmillan Mwale said the facility would be given the attention it deserves.
“All the time, we will make sure that the facility is in shape,” Mwale said.
The stadium was banned just one month after it hosted three matches in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
It hosted Malawi against Sao Tome and Principle, a match the Flames won 3-1.
It, thereafter, hosted matches for Kenya against Burundi and Ivory Coast.
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